A charity initiative:Mobile phone companies launch Haiti fundraiser

The mobile operators O2, Vodafone, Meteor and 3, through the Irish Cellular Industry Association (ICIA), today launched a fundraising initiative to support relief efforts in Haiti. Customers can donate €5 to UNICEF Ireland or Concern’s Haiti Appeals simply by texting either UNICEF or CONCERN to 57500. The donation will automatically be deducted from the customer’s account and directed in full to the customer’s chosen charity. Customers will receive two text messages to confirm their donation.

Majella Fitzpatrick, Chair of the ICIA and Head of Corporate Affairs at O2, said: “The devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti has shocked us all. The ICIA felt that by joining forces we could give all mobile phone users a simple and convenient way of giving their support. We hope that it will prove to be successful for UNICEF Ireland, Concern and ultimately the Haitian people.”

The text campaign appeal will run until midnight Sunday 31 January 2010 and is facilitated by Púca.